Breaking Through Barriers

Category: Accessible Travel Tips

So, you’re hosting Thanksgiving at your place, huh? Sitting down and sharing a seemingly endless meal of good food and great company with your family will undoubtedly be a fun time. However, it also means there’s going to be a lot of stuff on your plate, literally and figuratively, as you plan to accommodate extra people in your home.

EZ-ACCESS hopes to take some of the stress out of hosting Thanksgiving at your home. If you’re cooking, cleaning and setting the table, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether everyone can make it through the front door. Let us take care of that with one of our residential ramp that will make it easier for a family member with limited mobility to make it into your home.

Portable Ramps for Thanksgiving

One of those portable ramps that can help add access to your home is our SUITCASE® Singlefold Ramp. The best thing about this portable ramp is its portability, which allows the ramp to be easily folded up so it can be carried to your destination. When you need to use it, simply unfold it and securely place it. The portable ramp will do the rest.

Threshold Ramps for Thanksgiving

Maybe you don’t need a portable ramp, but it can still be a little tough to get someone with a mobility scooter or wheelchair over the threshold and through the front door. If that’s the case, you may want to consider our TRANSITIONS® Angled Entry Mat or the TRANSITIONS® Modular Entry Mat. Both of these threshold ramps are easy to transport and place to provide a smooth transition over your thresholds so members of your family can easily get in and out of your home on Thanksgiving.

If you’re not sure which of our portable ramp or mat systems is the best fit for your home, use the EZ-ACCESS ramp selector tool, which can help you find out which of our products will work best to suit your needs. We hope we can help take out some of the stress from your hosting duties, that way you can focus on enjoying the time with your family.

As Thanksgiving approaches later this month, millions of Americans will be taking to the country’s skies to see their loved ones. But for those with limited mobility who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters or power chairs, there are some extra challenges that accompany cross-country travel.

At EZ-ACCESS, we strive to make sure that everyone is comfortable and has access to their home. But, we also want to make sure that everyone can reach their destination for the holidays. With that in mind, we bring you some travel tips to help those with limited mobility travel easier.

Planning ahead: Whether you have limited mobility or you’re making plans to travel with someone with limited mobility, it’s important to think ahead. If you’re flying, be sure to make your reservation well in advance. While making the reservation, inform the booking agent that you will be traveling with a mobility scooter, wheelchair or power chair. The sooner the airline knows about your needs, the greater likelihood you’ll have fewer hassles. Be sure to confirm all your requests a couple of days before you’re scheduled to depart.

At the Airport: Like during the planning stages, it’s important to think ahead. That means you need to make sure to arrive at the airport early to give yourself plenty of time to get to your flight if something unexpected comes up. When checking your mobility scooter or power chair, request that it is returned to you at the gate when you arrive. Be sure to mark your name and address on any equipment and make sure it has a gate delivery tag so it is returned to you when you reach your destination.

Once you get to your destination, make sure you have arranged for transportation that will accommodate the power chair or mobility scooter. To make sure you have an easy time getting into your destination, check out our portable ramps that are easy to set up. EZ-ACCESS also has storage packs to give your power chair or mobility scooter more storage.

June is a month that kicks off summer and the heat is in full force. You are trying to figure out ways to stay cool in your wheelchair and beat the heat. Not only does EZ-ACCESS specialize in ramps of all kinds, but we have come up with ways for you to stay cool in a wheelchair.
Sometimes it can be frustrating to be in a wheelchair when the sun is beating down, but you don’t want to miss out on the fun summer activities. Even on the hottest of days, you can enjoy the sun as long as you take proper measures to stay cool and beat the heat.
Staying hydrated is first and foremost the best thing you can do for yourself during the hottest of days. While in your wheelchair, it may get irritating to constantly have to reach in your bag for that bottle of water or have it sitting by you. Although irritating, it is important to always drink water because staying hydrated is important to your health. A great way to stop the irritation of having your water bottle sitting next to you all the time is to get the Underneath Carrier for your wheelchair from EZ-ACCESS.
A few ways to stay cool in a wheelchair are to cover the arm rests, sit on a towel or pillow for comfort, or carry a mist fan. By covering the arm rests, you will keep the sun from beating on the dark colored power chair. You can also cool off by having a cold towel on your neck for relief from the summer heat. Are you now wondering where you would store all of these items when they are not in use? Try the Wheelchair Pack to store anything from cooling solutions to your favorite book.
EZ-ACCESS takes a special interest in your safety and wellbeing. We see the importance of finding ways to stay cool in a wheelchair. Always staying hydrated is essential to keeping cool and having cooling solutions with you at all times in your wheelchair’s storage bag can make time spent outside in the summer heat more enjoyable.
We hope these ideas to stay cool in a wheelchair were helpful because we want you to be as comfortable as possible while making memories outside at the park, with the family, or in anywhere you go this summer.

June is National Cancer from the Sun Month and EZ-ACCESS wants to be sure you know best practices to avoid sun burns and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and it affects over two million people each year. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Because of these startling statistics, it is essential that you wear sunscreen, especially during the summer when the sun gives off stronger rays. Since it is National Cancer from the Sun Month, EZ-ACCESS has compiled a list of tips for you to follow for sun safety at the beach, in the backyard, or anywhere you may encounter the sun.

Seek shade when possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun is most powerful and when sun burns are likely to occur.

Even one burn can increase your risk of skin cancer, so avoiding sun burns all together will lower your risk of getting melanoma or any other form of skin cancer.

Sunscreen is the top way to promote sun safety. Use sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Proof Factor) of 15 or higher each day. Wearing sunscreen everyday will ensure that you are protected from the sun’s rays. The higher the SPF the better, particularly for those who burn easily.

Wear wide brimmed hats for protecting your face. You can find a fun and fashionable hat to protect your face from burning while looking fabulous. Wearing a moisturizer everyday can help to protect your face during all seasons.

EZ-ACCESS is concerned about the welfare of every part of you and skin health is essential to your wellbeing because it is the first line of defense for your body. Summertime is all about being outdoors, having barbeques, and exploring your surroundings. Always keep sun safety in mind. These steps can help better the health of your skin and help with the prevention of all forms of skin cancer.

June is the perfect time to celebrate the beautiful summer by going to one of Washington state’s accessible attractions. EZ-ACCESS is proud to be located in the great state of Washington because there are many destinations that are wheelchair accessible.
Many initiatives have been put forth in Washington to make areas wheelchair accessible. Today, wheelchair users are able to access the grounds of all the state and national parks with ease, so they can fully enjoy all aspects of Washington’s natural landmarks.
Known as the evergreen state, Washington parks can be the main stop on your summer travel plans because of the accessibility they offer. If you want to see a surplus of scenic views, wildlife, and rolling waves of the ocean, check out the Olympic National Park.Olympic National Park
From fields of wildflowers to vast mountain scenes, the Olympic National Park also contains some of the largest remnants of ancient forests left in the country. The only issue at this park would be that there are so many areas to explore, so this site seeing adventure may take two days. The Visitor Center is totally accessible, so you will have no problem getting information from the staff.Pioneer Square
Known as one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods, you can explore the renaissance architecture with ease. The district covers an 88 acre space in Seattle with endless opportunity for fun activities. The area has a variety of tours, including spooky ghost tours for the fearless! Depending on the tour you are interested in, call ahead to make sure it is wheelchair accessible.Chinatown, International District
Are you looking for a taste of culture without leaving Washington state? Chinatown is the perfect destination. In this district, many Asian cultures work together as one, which makes this area an even more appealing destination for wheelchair users. The vast amount of restaurants will have your mouth watering for some international cuisine. A majority of the area is accessible, so plan your visit for some cultured fun.
Regardless of your interests, EZ-ACCESS knows the importance of finding fun and safe activities to do that are accessible in a wheelchair.

Are you worried about finding a cruise line that will accommodate your needs? EZ-ACCESS is here to put your worries aside because there are plenty of cruise lines that are wheelchair accessible for disabled travelers.
Whether you want to go to Alaska or the sandy beaches of the Caribbean, many cruise lines offer rooms that can accommodate you with ease. There are several cruise ships that are well known for their special features and accommodations for those who live with a disability.
EZ-ACCESS has provided you with a list of cruise lines and specific ships that are the most accommodating for disabled travelers:Royal Caribbean:
Many of Royal Caribbean’s ships are among the largest cruise vessels to ever be built. Bigger ships mean that the cruise line can provide more activity for wheelchair users some of the most spacious rooms and decks. The Freedom-class, Radiance-class, and the Vision-class ships offer lifts in the pool and spa areas so you can experience the freedom of enjoying the cruise ship’s on-board waters. They all have a number of accessible rooms for convenience.Celebrity Cruises:
This cruise line focuses on accessible shore excursions for wheelchair passengers. Celebrity Cruises has put an effort into making their ships more disability friendly and compliant with the American with Disabilities Act, which outlines standard features that should be available to wheelchair users. The focus of this cruise line’s accessibility is on the spa services wheelchair users can receive and shore excursion experience for wheelchair users.Disney Cruise Line:
These cruise ships are particularly targeted to families with disabled children because they make the experience accessible for them. The Disney Cruise’s mission is that children should be able to participate in youth programs regardless of their physical ability. The theaters onboard offer wheelchair accessibility and the Disney private island, Castaway Bay is able to be used by all visitors including wheelchair users.Holland America:
Holland America has partnered with Special Needs at Sea to offer passengers the same experience all other visitors get. They provide certain wheelchairs for those in need and other special equipment. Additional in room equipment can be provided by the cruise line.
EZ-ACCESS has provided you with a variety of options if you are thinking about taking a cruise to any destination. Whether you are looking to relax or explore, these cruise lines offer a wide array of options for to meet the needs of disabled travelers.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In honor of the Irish holiday, the team at EZ-ACCESS researched the best ways for wheelchair travel in The Emerald Isle (Ireland). This is what we found:Flying with Wheelchair to Ireland
Flying to Ireland is the easy part. As with any flight, you’ll need to check your wheelchair with your luggage. You will then be taken by manual wheelchair to your gate and may use a special wheelchair when on your flight. For more specifics, we recommend that you contact the airline that you are flying with to check on all requirements. By law, all airlines flying within Europe are required to help those with reduced mobility to and from their flight for no extra charge.Wheelchair Accessible Rooms
Whether you are staying in a hotel, castle, manor house or vacation rental, there are many choices with wheelchair accessible rooms and wheelchair accessible shower cabins. A full list of wheelchair accessible hotels, castles, manor houses and vacation rentals is available at Discovering Ireland Vacations. Again, it is always recommended that you contact your destination first to find out about their wheelchair accessible rooms and access to other parts of the grounds.Wheelchair Accessible Transportation
You’ll have many options when traveling around Ireland. The Dublin bus system allows for one wheelchair space, Dublin’s rail system provides generous space for wheelchairs; however, not all stations are wheelchair accessible. When traveling by rail, we recommend booking a wheelchair space in advance to guarantee your travel. For car rental, contact Motability Ireland which offers many features to accommodate those with reduced mobility.Wheelchair Accessible Sightseeing
When planning your sightseeing schedule, be sure to check out these wheelchair accessible tourist attractions listed at Accessible Ireland.com. These sights are a must-see and should offer little to no frustrations for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Have you traveled to Ireland? What was your experience with accessible locations? We’d love to hear from you so please comment on the EZ-ACCESS Facebook page with your thoughts on accessible travel!